Almost every college playwright or sketch or improv comedian was

In the words of Mindy Kaling, the writer and performer whose wit bridges the sacred and the ordinary, we find a reflection not only on art, but on the power of influence itself: “Almost every college playwright or sketch or improv comedian was sort of aware of Christopher Durang — even kids in high school. His short plays were so accessible to younger people and I think that was inspirational to me.” Though spoken in simplicity, these words capture one of the oldest truths in the human story — that greatness lies not only in what we create, but in what we awaken in others.

In praising Christopher Durang, Kaling points to a figure whose art opened the gates of creation for those who came after him. Durang, known for his sharp humor and fearless satire, spoke a language that young minds could understand. His plays were not confined to the towers of elite theatre; they reached classrooms, small stages, and college workshops. This accessibility — the ability to make art that invites rather than intimidates — is what Kaling calls inspirational. For the artist who opens a path for others is not only a creator, but a guide — a torchbearer lighting the road for future dreamers.

When Kaling recalls how “even kids in high school” knew Durang’s work, she reveals the depth of his impact: he was not simply admired, he was felt. Like a poet of the ancient world whose verses traveled from city to city, recited by students and common folk alike, Durang’s humor became a kind of shared inheritance. The young playwright, uncertain of her voice, could find courage in his words. The aspiring comedian, afraid of failure, could find permission to be bold through his absurdity. To Kaling, his legacy was not only in laughter, but in the freedom to create without fear.

The ancients, too, revered such figures — those whose art spoke to both the scholar and the child. Consider Homer, whose epics were sung across centuries, or Aesop, whose fables, though simple in form, carried wisdom deep enough to nourish civilizations. Like Durang, they created work that transcended status, uniting the learned and the young in the same wonder. And just as Homer’s verses inspired generations of poets to find their own rhythms, so too did Durang’s plays inspire a new generation of storytellers — among them, Mindy Kaling, whose own voice would come to shape modern comedy with similar wit, honesty, and heart.

What Kaling speaks of is more than admiration; it is the continuum of inspiration. Every artist, knowingly or not, stands upon the shoulders of another. The laughter of one generation becomes the echo that guides the next. This lineage of creativity, passed from mentor to admirer, from pioneer to student, is the very lifeblood of art. Durang wrote his stories; Kaling read them and found her courage; and through her, others found theirs. Thus does the flame of inspiration pass — not through inheritance of name or wealth, but through the shared daring to imagine.

Yet there is humility in her words as well — a reminder that to be inspired is also to be teachable. Kaling’s confession that Durang’s accessibility shaped her growth is an acknowledgment of gratitude. The ancients taught that wisdom begins in reverence, and art is no different. To learn from others, to be moved by their creations, is not weakness but strength. For only those who can admire truly can themselves become admirable.

So, dear listener, let this be your lesson: never underestimate the power of inspiration — nor the importance of making your work accessible to those who will follow. Whether you create, teach, or simply live with passion, know that every act of courage and authenticity may one day ignite the spirit of another. Be as Christopher Durang was to Mindy Kaling — a voice that opens doors, a presence that encourages laughter and daring. And when you find your own guides, honor them, as she did, by continuing their work in your own way. For the chain of inspiration is eternal: it begins with the teacher, is carried by the student, and shines forever in the art they leave behind.